Multiple locking storage container

ABSTRACT

A system and method for securely storing valuables using a multiple level locking structure. The structure may include two completely separable parts generally termed a lid and a vessel. Both the lid and vessel may employ a lock and key system together with a twist-off mechanism. Complementary matched magnets are placed on the lid and vessel to hold the two pieces together when first coupled and again after twisting together. The lid and vessel may be formed as a rigid, cylindrical or slightly conical container, typically made of metal, glass, ceramic, or plastic, with a wide mouth or opening.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisionalapplication 62/991,348 filed Mar. 18, 2020 by the same inventor which isincluded by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

One problem people have is how to store their valuables such as ringsand bracelets when they're doing some physical activities such asswimming or using the gym. Conventionally, people like to take off theirrings and other valuables and place them somewhere safe. However, havinga convenient place to store them is problematic for active-lifestylepeople. For example, they may forget where they left them, or they maybe subject to theft. So, what is needed is a secure storage device forstoring valuables temporarily that is attractive and won't accidentallyopen.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for securely storing valuablesusing a multiple level locking structure. The structure may include twocompletely separable parts generally termed a lid and a vessel. Both thelid and vessel may employ a lock and key system together with atwist-off mechanism. Complementary matched magnets are placed on the lidand vessel to hold the two pieces together when first coupled and againafter twisting together.

The lid and vessel may be formed as a rigid, cylindrical or slightlyconical container, typically made of metal, glass, ceramic, or plastic,with a wide mouth or opening.

In operation, a user places valuables into the vessel and places the lidover the vessel. Magnets on the lid and vessel will attract the twoparts and guide the matching contours into place. The matching contoursmay include an elongated member or stanchion portion on the lid and areceptacle portion on the vessel. Once into place, the user may twistthe lid in relation to the vessel wherein the new position of the lidwill be magnetically attracted by separate magnets operable to hold thelid in the new position. Moreover, the new position will be guided by agroove on the vessel matching to an extruded (or tongue) portion of thestanchion on the lid. When in the final position, the magnets willattract the parts closer together owing to the shape of the contouredsurfaces.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objectives and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a storage device.

FIG. 2 includes details about the multiple level locking mechanism.

DESCRIPTION Generality of Invention

This application should be read in the most general possible form. Thisincludes, without limitation, the following:

References to specific techniques include alternative and more generaltechniques, especially when discussing aspects of the invention, or howthe invention might be made or used.

References to “preferred” techniques generally mean that the inventorcontemplates using those techniques, and thinks they are best for theintended application. This does not exclude other techniques for theinvention and does not mean that those techniques are necessarilyessential or would be preferred in all circumstances.

References to contemplated causes and effects for some implementationsdo not preclude other causes or effects that might occur in otherimplementations.

References to reasons for using particular techniques do not precludeother reasons or techniques, even if completely contrary, wherecircumstances would indicate that the stated reasons or techniques arenot as applicable.

Furthermore, the invention is in no way limited to the specifics of anyparticular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Many othervariations are possible which remain within the content, scope andspirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear tothose skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

Lexicography

The terms “effect”, “with the effect of” (and similar terms and phrases)generally indicate any consequence, whether assured, probable, or merelypossible, of a stated arrangement, cause, method, or technique, withoutany implication that an effect or a connection between cause and effectare intentional or purposive.

The term “relatively” (and similar terms and phrases) generallyindicates any relationship in which a comparison is possible, includingwithout limitation “relatively less”, “relatively more”, and the like.In the context of the invention, where a measure or value is indicatedto have a relationship “relatively”, that relationship need not beprecise, need not be well-defined, need not be by comparison with anyparticular or specific other measure or value. For example and withoutlimitation, in cases in which a measure or value is “relativelyincreased” or “relatively more”, that comparison need not be withrespect to any known measure or value, but might be with respect to ameasure or value held by that measurement or value at another place ortime.

The term “substantially” (and similar terms and phrases) generallyindicates any case or circumstance in which a determination, measure,value, or otherwise, is equal, equivalent, nearly equal, nearlyequivalent, or approximately, what the measure or value is recited. Theterms “substantially all” and “substantially none” (and similar termsand phrases) generally indicate any case or circumstance in which allbut a relatively minor amount or number (for “substantially all”) ornone but a relatively minor amount or number (for “substantially none”)have the stated property. The terms “substantial effect” (and similarterms and phrases) generally indicate any case or circumstance in whichan effect might be detected or determined.

The terms “this application”, “this description” (and similar terms andphrases) generally indicate any material shown or suggested by anyportions of this application, individually or collectively, and includeall reasonable conclusions that might be drawn by those skilled in theart when this application is reviewed, even if those conclusions wouldnot have been apparent at the time this application is originally filed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below tosimplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examplesand are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosuremay repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples.This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and doesnot in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodimentsand/or configurations discussed.

System Elements

FIG. 1 shows an example of a storage device 100 including a lid 100A anda vessel 100B. The device includes a compartment 110 on a lid 111 and avessel 113 Both the lid 111 and the vessel 113 have a storagecompartment 110 and 116 respectively.

The structure may include two completely separable parts. Both the lid111 and vessel 113 may employ a lock and key system together with atwist-off mechanism. Complementary matched magnets 114 and 122 areplaced on the lid 111 and vessel 113 to hold the two pieces togetherwhen first coupled and again after twisting together.

The lid 111 and vessel 113 may be formed as a rigid, cylindrical orslightly conical container, typically made of metal, glass, ceramic, orplastic, with a wide mouth or opening.

In operation, a user places materials, such as valuables, into thevessel 113 and places the lid 111 over the vessel. Magnets 114 and 122on the lid 111 and vessel 113 will attract the two parts and guide thematching contours into place. The matching contours may include astanchion 112 on the lid 111 and a receptacle 120 on the vessel 113. Thestanchion 112 may be disposed on the outer edge or rim of the lid. Onceinto place, the user may twist the lid 111 in relation to the vessel 113wherein the new position of the lid 111 will be magnetically attractedby separate magnets 114 and 118 operable to hold the lid 111 in the newposition. Moreover, the new position will be guided by a groove 124 onthe vessel 113 matching to a tongue 126 portion of the stanchion 112 onthe lid 111. When in the final position, the magnets will attract theparts closer together owing to the shape of the contoured surfaces.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structureor characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referringto the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it issubmitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill inthe art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic inconnection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonlyemployed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substanceof their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 2 includes details about the multiple level locking mechanism. Themultiple level locking mechanism may include the following elements: astanchion 215 with a magnet 212 embedded in it, a tongue 226 formed aspart of the stanchion 215, and upper receiver 214, a lower receiver 217and a magnet attached to the lower receiver 218. Collectively theseelements work together to perform the task of locking the container.When the lid 211 is placed on the vessel 213 magnet 212 attractivelycouples to magnet 216 in the upper receiver 214. The tongue portion 226on the stanchion 215 pairs with the groove portion 210 on the vessel213. Magnets 216 and 212 align and hold the unit together as one. Whentwisted by a user, the tongue 226 slides through the groove 210 untilthe magnets 218 and 212 align. When aligned, the magnets attract the twoparts even closer allowing the stanchion 215 to slide further into thelower receptacle 217 and the locking mechanism is secured at a secondposition.

In operation, to secure a valuable such as a ring, a user would place itin the one of the compartments, put the two halves together aligning thestanchion and upper receiver, twist it into position until the othermagnet attracts pulling the lid into the second position. Opening thecontainer requires a full motion of pulling apart, twisting, and pullingapart again, therefore preventing accidental opening of the container.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has three stanchions, however, nothing inthis disclosure should be construed as limiting the invention to onlythree stations. Moreover, differing magnets positions may be employed toeffectuate certain embodiments. Furthermore, attached to the storagedevice is a ring hook 220 that allows fastening the device to somethingmore secure.

In one embodiment a device with stanchions disposed about asubstantially circular cover (or substrate), each of said stanchionsincluding a magnet disposed on a first end, each of said stanchionsfurther including a tongue portion disposed to extend into a cavity inthe cover receiver. A receptacle substrate may be formed with a cavityand some receiver portions, each receiver portion substantially shapedto mate with one of the stanchions on the cover. A magnet may be placedin the receiver portions. There may also be a grooves extending fromeach receiver to a second position wherein the groove is sized toreceive the tongue portion on a stanchion. A second receiver magnet maybe placed at the further end of the groove.

Certain embodiments may be effectuated using the information in theattached appendix which is incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein.

The above illustration provides many different embodiments orembodiments for implementing different features of the invention.Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to helpclarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and arenot intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made therein without departing from the spirit of theinvention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construedbroadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, asset forth in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A storage device including: a first substantially circularcompartment, said first compartment including a plurality of stanchionsdisposed about the rim, each stanchion having a magnet disposed on it,and each stanchion having a tongue portion disposed towards the interiorof the first compartment; a second compartment, said second compartmentincluding an upper receiver portion, said upper receiver portionincluding an upper receiver magnet; said second compartment including alower receiver portion, said lower receiver portion including a lowerreceiver magnet, and said second compartment including a groove portionsubstantially complementary to the tongue portion and disposed betweenthe upper receiver portion and the lower receiver portion, wherein thetongue and groove portions are operable for coupling the firstcompartment to the second compartment.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinthe first compartment is made from metal.
 3. The device of claim 1wherein the upper receiver portion and the lower receiver portion are adifferent depth.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the second compartmentincludes a rim portion, and the groove portion is angled with respect tothe rim.
 5. A device including: a cover portion including an elongatedmember, said elongated member including a first magnet disposed on afirst end and an extruded portion disposed on an elongated edge of themember; a receptacle portion, said receptacle portion formed to receivethe elongated member and the extruded portion; a second magnet disposedin the receptacle portion disposed to magnetically couple with the firstmagnet; a channel extending from the first receptacle portion to asecond receptacle portion, said channel enclosing a portion of theextruded portion securing the cover portion to the receptacle portion.6. The device of claim 5 further including: a second receptacle portiondisposed along the channel, and a third magnet disposed in the secondreceptacle portion.
 7. A device including: a plurality of stanchionsdisposed about a substantially circular cover substrate, each of saidstanchions including a magnet disposed on a first end, each of saidstanchions further including a tongue portion disposed to extend into acavity in the cover substrate; a receptacle substrate formed with acavity and a plurality of first receiver portions, each first receiverportion substantially shaped to mate with one of the stanchions; a firstreceiver magnet disposed in each of the first receiver portions; aplurality of groove portions extending from each first receiver portionto a second receiver portion, said groove portion sized to receive thetongue portion, and a second receiver magnet disposed in said secondreceiver portion.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the cover substrateand the receptacle substrate are formed of metal.
 9. The device of claim7 wherein the first receiver portions and the second receiver portionsare different heights.
 10. The device of claim 7 wherein the grooveoperates to slidably couple the tongue portion between the firstreceiver portion and the second receiver portion.